Printing press



y 1937- w. J. NIGHTINGALE 2,079,627

PRINTING PRESS Filed Jan. 29, 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 INVENTOR WWW/77 cf M gfif'mgd/ ATTORNEYS May 1937- w. J. NIGHTINGALE 2,079,627

PRINTING PRESS Filed Jan. 29, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 ld/Y? H720 BY I WTTORNEVS y 1937- W.J. NlGHTlNGALE 2,079,627

PRINTING PRESS Filed Jan. 29, 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS y 1, 1937. w. J. NIGHTINGALE 2,079,627

' PRINTING PRESS Filed Jan. 29, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 1 w. J. NIGHTINGALE 2,079,627

PRINTING PRESS Filed Jan. 29, 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY W Y ATTORNEY;

May 11, 1937. w. J. NIGHTINGALE PRINTING PRESS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 29, 1934 mm" t /v/ 0 WW R 0 0 I E T V N m M 1 m N I; A

May 11, 1937. w. J. NIGHTINGALE PRINTING PRES 5 Filed Jan. 29,1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR [/fium J 1' him a/e QLGfi I ZW A TTORNE VS May 11, 1937.

W. J. NIGHTINGALE PRINTING PRESS Filed Jan. 29, 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 B Y W/ m; J WWZ/ A TTORNE Y3 Patented May 11, 1937 PATENT OFFICE PRINTING PRESS William J. Nightingale, Flint, Mich., assignor to Nightingale Printing Presses, Inc., Flint,

Mich.

Application January 29, 1934, Serial No. 708,861

83 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, toprovide a multi-color printing press in which printing in a plurality of colors may be accomplished by a single machine.

5 Second, to provide a multi-color printing press which automatically prints a plurality of colors with perfect register.

Third, to provide a multi-color printing press which is very compact and is capable of large production.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

15 A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved printing press, parts being broken away for convenience in illustration.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation looking from the left of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view.

v Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view mainly in vertical section on line l4 of Figs. 1, 6, and 8.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view sectioned on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partially in section on line 66 of Figs. 7 and 8 showing details 30 of the chase carrier traversing mechanism.

1 Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view partially in section 'on line 'l--'l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail section on line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view partially in section 5 on line 9-9 of Figs. 10 and 11 showing details of the driving means for the inking roll carriage.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail section on line Ill-moi Fig.9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevation view showing no further details of the inking roll mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section of the inking roll actuating mechanism on line l2-l2 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section on line l3--l3 4 5 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary conventionalized view of the chase carrier control mechanism illustrating the relation of the selecting cam and traversing shafts and pawl.

50 Figs. 15 and 16 are conventionalized views showing the relation of the parts at return position.

Figs. 17 and 18 are corresponding views with the parts approaching the end of the outward stroke.

Figs. 19, 20 and 21 are conventionalized plan views of cams employed for one, two and three color jobs, the cams shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 1'7 being four color cams.

Fig. 22 is a skeletonized rear elevation of the chase carrier actuating mechanism illustrating the relation thereof and clutch means for controlling the several units.

Fig. 23 is a view of the control board for such clutch means.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the platen carrier in printing position, the dotted lines showing it fully retracted and tilted for hand feeding.

Fig. 25 is a view similar to Fig. 24, showing the platen carrier in retracted position for machine feeding, the platen carrier being untilted.

The frame I is of suitable design to firmly support the moving parts and provide a rigid foundation therefor. The platen 2 is pivotally mounted at 3 on the reciprocating carriage 4, this carriage being provided with anti-friction bearings 6 on the ways 5. These bearings are independent of the carriage actuating means and are adapted to receive and resist lateral as well as the vertical thrusts.

The carriage is positively actuated by a toggle consisting of the links I and 8 which are pivotally connected at 9 to the connecting link or rod l which, in turn, is pivotally connected to and carried by the plunger rod H, see Fig. 4. This plunger rod is provided with a thrust roller l2 coacting with the cam l3 on the shaft M, the cam I3 acting to retract the platen. A closing cam I is provided on the shaft Hi, this cam coacting with the roller it on the plunger rod. The plunger rod has a yoke portion l'l receiving the shaft M and permitting the rod to reciprocate. The rod is supported by an upper bearing l8 and a lower bearing I9, see Fig. 4.

The shaft 14, see Fig. 1, is driven from the main driving shaft 20 having fly or balance wheel 2| at one end and a driving pulley 22 at its opposite end, the source of power in this structure being the motor 23, which is connected to the pulley 22 by the belt 24. The driving connections for the shaft 20 to the shaft [4 consist of a train of gears comprising gears 26, 21, 28, and 29, see Figs. 1 and 4. This platen actuating means described results in complete actuation of the platen on each stroke.

As shown by Figs. 4 and 5, the manually adjustable pivot connection 30 for the link 8 to the platen carriage is provided with eccentrically disposed end supporting pins 3| supported for rotative adjustment in the spaced bracket portions 32 of the carriage. A slip friction clutch 0r screws (not shown) are provided for clamping these pins in their adjusted position. 0ne of the pins is preferably designed to receive a tool for rotating the pivot. With this eccentric arrangement the pivot may be rotated and thereby the stroke of the carriage changed suirlciently to compensate for variations such as result in the printing of cards as distinguished from paper or from slight variations in the printing plate or type.

Provision is made for tilting the platen as it is retracted either after each printing impression or after a selected number of impressions have been made. The tilting mechanism consists of plates I21 carried on top of the ways 5 in which the carriage i is guided. These plates are shown in plan view in Figure 3, in transverse section in Figure 5 and in side elevation on Figures 24 and 25. As best shown in Figure 3, the plates I2? are normally slidable on the ways, being confined for reciprocating movement by longitudinal slots through which pass bolts threaded into the ways. The inner ends of the plates I21 carry upwardly extending flanges having guide slots 3 therein (see Figures 24 and to receive pins 33 secured to the platen 2.

With the parts as so far described the sliding of the carriage will not produce tilting of the head 2 for the plates i2! will simply slide along with the carriage as a result of the connection afforded by pins 33 and slots 34. This arrangement of parts is shown in Figure 25 and is employed when provision is made for automatically feeding paper to the press. When so operated it is desirable that the platen 2 be locked against tilting about the pivot 3 so as to hold it in a plane parallel to the type face (when in printing position) to insure accurate register and a uniform impression pressure over the entire platen face. This is accomplished by means of sliding bolts mounted in suitable guides on the carriage 4 and coacting with keepers or lugs 36 on the platen, springs I3? urging the bolts 35 into locking position. It is preferable that the guides for the sliding bolts coact with a wedge principle with the lugs on the platen to insure good locking.

When paper is fed to the press by hand it is desirable to have the platen 2 tilted away from the type face between impressions to make insertion of the paper more convenient. This is accomplished simply by locking the plates I21 on the ways 5 so that as the carriage is reciprocated the pins 33 ride up on the inclined surfaces of slots 34 and tilt the platen 2. Locking of the plates I2! is accomplished by bolts I26, Figures 3, 5, 24 and 25. One of the bolts is shown in locked position in Figure 24. As best shown in Figure 4, bolts I26 are pivoted to rocker arms I25 secured to the ends of shaft I 24. Shaft I24 also has slidably guided on it as is best shown in Figure 1, a two-armed rocker I23 adapted to be shifted longitudinally of the shaft I24 by means of slidable selector I22, preferably having a fork at one end to straddle the short end of rocker I23, and an operating handle as best shown in Figure 2, the free end of which is adapted to be engaged in either of a plurality of notches in a bracket secured to the left side of the frame of the machine as shown in Figure 1.

The longer arm of rocker I23 is provided with a roller and is adapted to engage any one of a plurality of cams I2l on shaft 20 as best shown in Figures 1 and 4, depending upon the position to which it is moved by selector I22. These cams are so designed that with the end of the selector handle in the notch marked 1, the plates I27 are locked on each return of the carriage and if the platen 2 is unlocked it is tilted back as a consequence of pins 33 riding up the inclined portions of slots 34. Similarly, with the end of the selector handle in notch marked 2 the plates I2! are locked on every other return stroke of the carriage and the platen 2 is tilted back after every second printing impression and so on.

The withdrawal of bolts 35 which look the platen 2 against tilting is accomplished automatically by means of levers 31, best shown in Figure 24, having sliding pivotal connection at an intermediate point with the carriage 4, and having their upper ends pivoted to the bolts 35 and their lower ends riding in notches 538 in the plates I21. When the carriage moves to the right in Figure 24'to the position shown in dotted lines the lever 37 is rotated by engagement of its lower end with the end of the notch I38 retracting the bolt 35. The parts are so designed, of course, that this retraction takes place before the pin 33 rides up on the inclined portion of slot 34 and tilts the platen.

I preferably provide means for initially and practically instantaneously retracting the platen, this mechanism in the embodiment illustrated consisting of the eccentric pivot 38 for the toggle link 'i. This pivot is provided with an arm 39 connected by the link 40 to the lever GI pivoted at 42 and operatively connected to the plunger 33 actuated by the cam Mi on the shaft It. A spring urges the plunger into operative relation to the cam. With this arrangement the platen is initially and practically instantaneously retracted or backed off from printing position with the result that the partial vacuum between the paper and platen is maintained in effect and results in more quickly and effectively disengaging the paper from the type to prevent the tendency of the type or plate to draw printed work out of position on the platen and also to make possible earlier functioning of the chase retraction means.

I preferably provide a spring bumper 46, Figs. 4 and 24, to relieve the platen of shock when it is swung to position by means of the cam 3:3.

The structure illustrated is designed for printing from one to four colors and, in eifect, has four units designated generally as A, B, C and D adapted to be successively operated in timed or synchronized relation or any number of these units may be operated in accordance with the control means provided therefor. These units are arranged in opposed pairs, but it is possible to provide additional units which would require re-positioning.

The units are duplicates with the exception of certain features hereinafter specifically pointed out, and therefore a description of one with the exceptions to be noted will suflice.

Each unit comprises a plate carrier or chase carrier i'I slidably supported by sets of rollers 48 which constitute slideways for the chase carriers. The carriers, when in printing position, are supported by the support 59 adapted to sustain the thrust of the platen and thus relieve the plates and their supporting rollers from undue strain which would tend to result in eventual mis-alinement. The type or printing plate is indicated at 5B.

As best shown by Fig. 4, a very small clearance is provided between the back plate 49 and all the inner side of the chase carrier t'l'byrneans of the poppets I48 which are arranged nearthe These poppets ride ,plateby the rollers or bearings 48 which are arranged in spaced relation to the four sides of the back plate 19.

high speed.

It will be observed that in the embodiment illustrated the horizontal units A and C .are slightly longer than the vertical units, this being to accommodate the length of the printing plate as compared to its width. The recipro cation of the chase or plate carriers is 3.000111- plished by means designed toadvance the canriers rapidly to printing position, to permit a period of rest while in that position, and rapidly retract them to initial position and providesuitable periods of rest to permit the actuation of the other units.

The actuating means comprises a pair of traversing shafts 5| relation in suitable housings 53,

58 connected by the link to the carrier. The pawl 56 is of such length that it must be engaged with the shafts singly, the shafts beingspaced, however, so that the pawl 55 may be out of engagement with both.

The cam shaft 52 in the unit B, see Fig. 22, is provided with an annular flange 53 at its lower end which serves as a stop coacting with a pin to limit the downward movement of the slide and prevent its dropping out of position to be. picked up by the other traversing shaft. At the. upper end of the cam groove of the shaft 52 of the unit D, the shaft is provided with lip or flange-like projections 6| adaptedto perform.

this same function at the upper end of the stroke of the slide which corresponds to the lower end of the stroke of the slideof unit B which is the transfer point of the pawl from cam groove 54 to cam groove 55.

These traversing shafts are connected by the gears E32 directly meshing so that the pairs of shafts rotate in opposite directions. end, the shaft 5| is provided with a pawl shifting cam 63 which acts to shift the pawl from engagement with the cam groove of the shaft 5| into engagement with the cam groove of the shaft 52. Theterminals of these cam grooves and the lift of shifting cam 63 are designed to provide the desired dwell when the carrier is in printing position.

To yieldingly retain the slide of the upper:

unit B in its retracted position, I provide a spring pressed detent I? which engages the slide when in its upper retracted position as shown in Fig. 4. This detent yields, however, to release the carriage when the pawl is shifted to driving A similar detent HT is provided for tion of the several chases, I provide a pawl i shifting means shown in detail in Figs. ,6, 7 and 8 and consisting of the pawl engaging shaft; 64

I49 as the carriers move back A nice accuracy is thus as- 1 sured in the operation of the machine even at and 52 arranged in parallel. see Fig. 6. These shafts 5| and 52 have spiral grooves 5 1V and 55, respectively, coacting with the shiftable pawl 55 on the slide 57. This slide has an arm At its innerhaving an elongated pinion or spline-like teeth coacting with rackteeth 65 on the pawl when the slide 51 is'in its :outer position.

At the end ofits out stroke the pawl is shifted to neutral position by means of the shaft 54 actuated by-the rack 58 and the cam 69, In proper timed sequence, the shaft M is actuated to shiftthe pawl into engagement with the feed traversingshaft 5|.

To accomplish this, the shaft 64 is provided withthe pinion 6! at its outer end coacting with the rack BB-actuated by means of the cam 69. The cam 69 is mounted on a shaft 10 provided with a gear --'l| meshing'with the worm 12 on the traversingshaft 52. unit D is rotatably supported bydriven shaft 8| havinga beveled gear 'IS'meshing with the beveled gear on the shaft l'5 which is driven by Where a four color job is being printed, all four ofthe shafts 5| arecontinuously driven. Means are provided for accomplishing this result or for throwing out" ofoperation'any one or more of the units.

Means by-which this may be accomplished are illustrated in Fig. 22, in which driven shaft BI is provided with beveled gear 8|. Splined to the shaft 8| is a clutch member '18 connecting the clutch member E9 to drive the shaft 5| of unit. D. The shaft 5| of the unit A and shaft 52 of unit 0' are provided with beveled gears and. 82 adapted to be brought into or out of mesh with the beveled gear 8|. The driven shaft 8| is provided with a clutch 83 engaging theclutch member-8d on the shaft 52 of unit B.

A control panel 85 is provided, see Fig. 23,

having control lever 86 for the clutch 78, a control lever 82 forthe clutch 83 and control levers 88 andil for shifting the gears 80 and 82. This panel bears the words Black, Red, Blue", and Yellow associated with these levers, but it will be understood that the colors may be anything desired and these legends are provided merely to indicate the purpose and to facilitate adjustment.

With this arrangement of parts, the carriers are reciprocated with a minimum of shock and vibration. They are actuated in suitable timed relation and the desired dwell at printing position is secured.

The racks 68 are urged against their control cams 59 by means of the coiled springs 90, Fig. 8. The lifts SI of the earns 69 are designed to properly time the rotation of the shaft 64, the

complete cycle of operation of the cams being embodied inthe lift portion 9| thereof.

Referring to Figs. 14 to 21, inclusive, it will be noted that the cams 69 have neutral or dwell portions-92 complementing the lift portions 9|, the dwell portions being of such length as to permit the other three units to operate. Where one color only is required the cam 93 is substituted for the cam 69 only on the carrier unit selected. Where two colors are desired cams 94 are used on the'two units selected, and where three colors are desired cams 95 are employed on the three units selected. The pawl 58 is held in neutral position while its control rack 68 is in engagement with the dwell or neutral position 92 of the cam 69. The othercams have corresponding dwell or neutral portions.

When the rack drops off this neutral portion 92 concentric with the axis of the cam, the pawl is shifted into positionto engage the traversing shaft 5| as shown in.--F ig.-14.- It will be noted The shaft 5| of the lower 1 a suitable driving connection 16 to the shaft 20.

that the lift portion 91 of the earn 159 is for a short distance concentric with the cam shaft '11] so that the rack does not move until the pawl has left the spline end of shaft 64. As the rotation of the cam continues, see Figs. 15 and 17, the rack is actuated to position to receive the slide and coact with the pawl at the end of its return stroke, at which time the rack drops. off the nose 9'1 of the cam. The nose 91 of the cam has a dwell portion 98 which serves to stop the rotation of the shaft 64 so that it is in position and not rotating when the slide brings the pawl back into engagement therewith.

An inking unit is associated with each chase carrier and as these inking units are duplicates only one will be described, due consideration being given, of course, to the position of the unit.

The inking roll carriage 99 reciprocates in ways 100, Fig. 4, to carry the ink delivery rollers 101 across the inking plate and the type or printing plate 50. The carriage is provided with a pair of feed rollers 102 oneof which coacts with the fountain roller 103 when the carriage is in its retracted position. This fountain roller coacts with the supply roller of the second fountain roller 104.

With the parts in position shown in Fig. 4, the ink applying rollers are in operative relation to the inking plate 1135 to pick up the ink therefrom and on the actuation of the carriage carry the ink to the type or printing plate. This forward or work stroke of the inking carriage brings the rollers 102 into cooperating relation with the distributing plate, giving it a fresh supply of ink and spreading it quite uniformly thereon. Two serpentine cams 260 and 261 are located on the ink roller carriage ways, Fig. 11, and coact with end thrust bearings on one or more of the ink supply rollers, causing them to oscillate across the ink plate, thereby insuring an even distribution of ink thereon. The result is a very uniform distribution or application of the ink to the distributing rollers and consequently a uniform distribution of the ink to the type.

The inking carriage 99 is operated in proper synchronized relation to the respective plate carriers. This operating means in the embodiment illustratedby Figs. 9 to 11, consists of coacting pairs of reversely threaded traversing shafts or cams 1116 arranged in a suitable housing 101, see Figs. 9 and 10, and driving the slides 108 through the pawls 109. The pawls are automatically shifted at the ends of travel of the slides.

The cam 210 is driven at a predetermined speed relative to that of cam 106 by the worm gears 211 and 212. In the position shown by Fig. 13, the cam 21!] allows the plunger 213 to be forced up by the coil spring 214 and carrying the key 215 into a pocket 216 in the floating ramp 2"; thus, the ramp is caused to turn with the cam IE6 and forces the cam follower 218 out of the groove therein and into the groove in the adjacent cam '16 to start the ink roll movement cycle. The follower is returned to the elevating cam 106 at the bottom of its traverse by a positive ramp at the end of its dwell in the mating cam. When the follower returns to the top of its elevating cam, cam 210 has advanced 90 depressing plunger 213 and key 215, thus releasing ramp 217 so that the follower may return and remain at the dwell provided by the circular end groove. The pawl is releasably held in position by the spring actuated balls 219 coacting with the annular grooves 221).

The slides have arms 110 to which are connected the connecting rods 1 1 1 to the inking carriages. It will be noted that the inking carriages for the vertical plate carriers reciprocate in planes parallel to the travel of the plate carriers, whereas the inking carriages for the horizontally traveling plate carriers reciprocate vertically and in planes transverse to the travel of the plate carriers. The inking carriages serving the horizontal plate carriers are operated, however, while the horizontal plate carriers are in their retracted position and preferably as provided while they are at rest, While the inking carriages for the vertical plate carriers may be operated either while the plate carriers are at rest or in motion. The pairs of traversing shafts 106 which are arranged in the housing are driven from the shafts 112 which have beveled gears 113 at their lower ends meshing with beveled gears 1 14 on the main driving shaft 211. The shaft 112 is provided with a gear 115 which meshes with gears 116 on the four associated shafts 106.

With the parts thus arranged highly satisfactory multi-color printing can be very economically and rapidly produced, the machine illustrated being designed to print any combination from one to four colors. It may be quickly adjusted to the particular color combination desired. In ordinary shop work a four-color combination is usually all that is desired and the colors black, red, yellow and blue are standard colors. Of course, by cleaning the inking rollers and changing the ink any desired colors might be employed.

In addition to providing an improved multicolor printing press and method, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that I also provide (1) a printing press wherein a number of different colors and shades may be had by handling the sheet to be printed only once, (2) a press wherein a plurality of colors may be applied accurately to a sheet without danger of confusion and blending, (3) a multi-color press wherein the number and combination of different color impressions may be readily varied, and (4) a multi-color press wherein the arrangement of colors may be readily changed to meet the varying demands of the trade.

Heretofore, it has been the practice to produce the different colors by running the stock through the press once for each separate color or with an offset press which is termed offset printing. The latter method is slow and costly and the former is slow, expensive, and. inaccurate because each sheet must be fed through for each color. The fountain, ink rolls and platen must be washed for each color, resulting in much lost time for feeding and cleaning in addition to waste of ink. According to my invention, the press has a plurality of sets of ink fountains for the various colored inks, each individual fountain being adapted to hold ink of a selected color or shade. Thus, it is not necessary to wash the ink rolls, fountains and platen until the job is finished, thereby saving time and ink compared to the prior practice.

Printing presses embodying my invention are particularly useful in the printing of stock on which a number of different colors and/or shaded impressions appear, such as, for example, art pictures, post cards, letters heads, ledger sheets, shipping tags, embossings in color, the bronzing processes, half-tones, multi-tones, etc. The only adjustment necessary in changing the press to print paper of different thicknesses is to slip the friction clutch and adjust the eccentric shaft in the toggle mechanism as pointed out above. The platen is adapted to tilt only when it is to be fed. In other words, in printing four color work the platen moves back and forth without tilting and then tilts on the fourth cycle. When the paper is fed by mechanical means, the platen is held against tilting. The platen is reciprocated in perfect alinement in its anti-friction guides which results in extremely accurate work. The toggle contrary to prior practice only applies the pressure to the platen and does not act in any way as a guide for its movement. By virtue of the improved construction of my machine, it requires practically no make-ready. Other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain modifications in structure and design which I contemplate and which might be desirable for particular work, but it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r

1. In a printing machine, the combination with a reciprocatingly mounted platen and platen reciprocating means; of a plurality of reciprocatingly mounted chase carriers disposed in pairs, the chase carriers of each pair being in alinement and reciprocating in the same plane which lane is at right angles to the travel of platen reciprocating means, the chase carriers being in cooperating relation to said platen at the inner end of their travel, a support withwhich said chase carriers coact when in printing position, means for successively actuating said chase carriers providing predetermined periods of rest when in printing position, platen actuating means synchronized with the actuation of each of said chase carriers, an inking means operatively associated with each chase carrier, and means for actuating said inking means when the chase carriers are in retracted position.

2. In a printing machine, the combination with I. a reciprocatingly mounted platen, of a plurality Til of reciprocatingly mounted chase carriers reciprocating in the same plane which plane is at right angles to the line of reciprocation of the platen, the chase carriers being in cooperating relation to said platen at the inner end of their travel, means for actuating each. of said chase carriers independently of the others but in sequence, said means providingpredetermined periods of rest when in printing and retracted position, platen actuating means synchronized with the actuation of each of said chase carriers, an inking means operatively associated with each chase carrier, and means for actuating said inking means when the chase carriers are in retracted position.

In a printing machine, the combination with a reciprccatingly mounted platen, of a plurality of reciprocatingly mounted chase carriers reciprocatii "n the same plane which plane is normal to the reciprocation of the platen, the chase carriers being in cooperating relation to said platen at the inner end of their traveL-means for successively actuating said chase carriers providing predetermined periods of rest when in printing position, platen actuating means synchronized with "the actuation of each of said chase carriers, the actuating meansfor said chase carriers including independent clutches whereby they may be selectively put into operation, an inking means operatively associated with each chase carrier,

and means for actuating said inking means when the chase carriers are in retracted position.

4. In a printing machine, the combination with a reciprocatingly mounted platen, of a plurality of reciprocatingly mounted chase carriers operatively associated therewith, a support with which said chase carriers coact when in printing position, means for actuating each oi said chase carriers independently of the others but in sequence, said means providing periods of rest when in printing position, platen actuating means synchronized with the actuation of each of said chase carriers, and an inking means operatively associated with each chase carrier.

5. In a printing machine, the combination with a movably mounted platen, a plurality of reciprocatingly mounted chase carriers operatively associated therewith, means for actuating each of said chase carriers independently of the others but in sequence, said means providing periods of rest when in printing position, platen actuating means synchronized with the actuation of each of said chase carriers, and an inking means associated with each chasecarrier.

6. In a printing machine, the combination with a reciprocatingly mounted platen, a plurality of reciprocatingly mounted chase carriers operatively associated therewith, means for successively actuating said chase carriers providing periods of rest when in printing position, platen actuating means synchronized with the actuation of each of said chase carriers, the actuating means for said chase carriers including independent clutches whereby they may be selectively put into operation, and an inking means operatively associated with each chase carrier.

7. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a plurality of chase carriers operatively associated with said platen, means for synchronously actuating said chase carriers to and from printing position, a stationary backing plate with which the several chase carriers coact when they are in printing position, platen actuating means synchronized with the actuation of each of said chase carriers, an inking means for each chase carrier, and means for actuating said inking means when the chase carriers are in retracted position.

8. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a plurality of chase carriers operatively associated with said platen, means for synchronously actuating said chase carriers to and from printing position, platen actuating means synchronized with the actuation of each of said chase carriers, manually controlled means for throwing the individual chase carriers into or out of operation, an inking means for each chase carrier, and means for actuating said inking means when the chase carriers are in retracted position.

9. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a plurality of chase carriersoperatively associated with said platen, means for synchronously actuating said chase carriers to and from printing position, a stationary backing plate with which the several chase carriers coact when they are in printing position, platen actuating means synchronized with the actuation of each of said chase carriers, and an inking means operatively associated with each chase carrier.

10. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a plurality of chase carriers operatively associated with said platen, means for synchronously actuating said chase carriers to and from printing position, platen actuating means synchronized with the actuation of each of said chase carriers, manually controlled means for throwing the individual chase carriers into or out of operation, and an inking means operatively associated with each chase carrier.

11. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a reciprocatingly mounted chase car rier, a pair of parallel spirally grooved traversing shafts having driving connections, a slide disposed between said traversing shafts and connected to the carrier, a pawl provided with a rack slidably mounted on said slide to coact alternately with said traversing shafts, a cam on one of said shafts for shifting said pawl at the end of the carrier feed stroke of the slide, such shaft being provided with a dwell providing a period of rest for the slide at the inner end of its feed stroke with the chase carrier in printing position, a pawl control shaft disposed at the return end of the path of the slide and provided with a pinion with which the rack of the pawl engages when the slide is at the end of its return stroke, an actuating rack for said pawl control shaft, the shaft having a second pinion coacting with said actuating rack, a cam coacting with said actuating rack, driving connections for said cam to one of said traversing shafts, and a spring acting to urge said rack against said cam, said cam acting to hold the pawl in neutral position for a predetermined period of each cycle and to permit the spring to actuate the pawl to shaft engaging position and also to prevent rotation of the pawl control shaft during the latter part of the return stroke of the slide to facilitate engagement of the teeth of the pawl with the pinion of the pawl control shaft.

12. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a reciprocatingly mounted chase carrier, a pair of parallel spirally grooved traversing shafts having driving connections, a slide disposed between said traversing shafts and connected to the carrier, a pawl provided with a rack slidably mounted on said slide to coact alternately with said traversing shafts, a cam on one of said shafts for shifting said pawl at the end of the carrier feed stroke of the slide, a pawl control shaft disposed at the return end of the path of the slide and provided with a pinion with which the rack of the pawl engages when the slide is at the end of its return stroke, an actuating rack for said pawl control shaft, the shaft having a second pinion coacting with said actuating rack, a cam coacting with said actuating rack, driving connections for said cam to one of said traversing shafts, and a spring acting to urge said rack against said cam, said cam acting to hold the pawl in neutral position for a predetermined period of each cycle and to permit the'spring to actuate the pawl to shaft engaging position and also to prevent rotation of the pawl control shaft during the latter part of the return stroke of the slide to facilitate engagement of the teeth of the pawl with the pinion of the pawl control shaft.

13. In a printing machine, the combination ,of a platen, a reciprocatingly mounted chase 7 disposed between said traversing shafts and connected to the carrier, a pawl provided with a 'rack slidably mounted on said slide to coact the end of the carrier feed stroke of the slide, the feed shaft being provided with a dwell providing a period of rest for the slide at the end of the feed stroke, a pawl control shaft disposed at the return end of the path of the slide and provided with a dwell providing a period of rest for the slide at the end of the feed stroke, a pawl control shaft disposed at the return end of the path of the slide and provided with a pinion with which the rack of the pawl engages when the slide is at the end of its return stroke, and a cam controlled actuating means for said control shaft whereby the pawl is held in neutral position for a predetermined period of each cycle.

14. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a reciprocatingly mounted chase carrier, a pair of parallel spirally grooved traversing shafts having driving connections, a slide disposed between said traversing shafts and connected to the carrier, a pawl provided with a rack slidably mounted on said slide to coact alternately with said traversing shafts, a cam on one of said shafts for shifting said pawl at the end of the carrier feed stroke of the slide, I

the feed shaft being provided with a dwell providing a period of rest for the slide at the end of the feed stroke, a pawl control shaft disposed at the return end of the path of the slide and provided with a dwell providing a period of rest for the slide at the end of the feed stroke, a pawl control shaft disposed at the return end of the path of the slide and provided with a pinion with which the rack of the pawl engages when the slide is at the end of its return stroke, and an actuating means for said control shaft whereby the pawl is held in neutral position for a predetermined period of each cycle.

15. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a reciprocatingly mounted chase carrier, a pair of parallel spirally grooved traversing shafts having driving connections, a slide disposed between said traversing shafts and connected to the carrier, a pawl provided with a rack slidably mounted on said slide to coact alternately with said traversing shafts, a cam on one of said shafts for shifting said pawl at the end of the carrier feed stroke of the slide, the feed shaft being provided with a dwell providing a period of rest for the slide at the end of the feed stroke, a pawl control shaft disposed at the return end of the path of the slide and provided with a dwell providing a period of rest for the slide at the end of the feed stroke, a pawl control shaft disposed at the return end of the path of the slide and provided with a pinion with which the rack of the pawl engages when the slide is at the end of its return stroke, and an actuating means for said control shaft whereby the pawl is held in neutral position for a predetermined period of each cycle and the pawl control shaft is held against rotation during the latter part of the return stroke of the slide to facilitate engagement of the teeth of the pawl with the pinion of the pawl control shaft.

16. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a plurality of type units operatively associated with said platen and each comprising a reciprocatingly mounted type carrier, a pair of parallel spirally grooved traversing shafts hav ing driving connections, a slide disposed between said traversing shafts and connected to the carrier, a pawl slidably mounted on said slide to coact alternately with said traversing shafts, and means at one end of the travel of the slide for releasing said pawl from one shaft, holding it in neutral position for a predetermined period, and then engaging it with the other shaft.

17. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a reciprocatingly mounted type carrier, a pair of parallel spirally grooved traversing shafts having driving connections, a slide disposed between said traversing shafts and connected to the carrier, a pawl slidably mounted on said slide to coact alternately with said traversing shafts, and means at one end of the travel of the slide for releasing said pawl from one shaft, holding it in neutral position for a predetermined period, and then engaging it with the other shaft.

18. In a printing machine, the combination of a chase carrier, an actuating slide therefor, a pair of grooved traversing shafts operatively associated with said slide, a pawl carried by said slide and adapted to alternately coact with said traversing shafts, and means for shifting said pawl at the ends of the stroke of the slide adapted to provide predetermined periods of dwell in the movement of the slide.

19. In a printing machine, the combination of a chase carrier, a pair of coacting spirally grooved traversing shafts, a slide connected to the carrier, a pawl mounted on said slide to coact alternately with said traversing shafts, and. means for actuating said pawl from one shaft, holding it in neutral position for a predetermined period, and then engaging it with the other shaft.

20. In a printing machine, the combination of a printing element, an actuating slide therefor, coacting traversing shafts operatively associated with said slide, a pawl carried by said slide and adapted to alternately coact with said traversing shafts, and means for shifting said pawl at the ends of the stroke of the slide.

21. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a plurality of reciprocatingly mounted chase carriers operatively associated therewith, means for actuating said chase carriers including slides, coacting traversing shafts operatively associated with the slides, the slides being provided with shiftable pawls coacting with said shafts, and means for shifting the pawl at the ends of the stroke of the slide providing periods of rest, the means for shifting the pawl at the end of the work stroke being carried by one of the shafts, the means for shifting the pawl at the end of the out-stroke having driving connection with the shafts but being otherwise independent of the shafts and including cams whereby synchronized operation of the several slides may be had.

22. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a plurality of reciprocatingly mounted chase carriers operatively associated therewith, means for actuating said chase carriers including slides, coacting traversing shafts operatively associated with the slides, the slides being provided with shiftable pawls coacting with said shafts, and means for shifting the pawl at the ends of the stroke of the slide providing periods of rest.

23. The combination of a pair of parallel oppositely rotating spirally grooved members, means mounted for sliding movement parallel to the axes of said members, means associated with said means adapted for driving engagement with the grooved members, and means operative at the ends of the stroke of said first-named means for shifting said last-named means out of engagement with one of said grooved members and into engagement with the other grooved member for movement in reverse direction.

24. In a printing press, the combination of a pair of longitudinally reciprocating chase carriers, a pair of transversely reciprocating chase carriers, means for actuating said carriers successively to a common printing position and providing a rest period in such position, an inking plate positioned at the rear of each longitudinally reciprocating chase carrier, a stationary inking plate positioned at one side of each transversely reciprocating chase carrier in retracted position, a longitudinally reciprocating inking roll unit for each inking plate and chase carrier, including a pinrality of rolls for transferring the ink from the plate to the chase carrier, a plurality of rolls for supplying ink to the plate, means for inking said last named rolls, means for actuating the inking roll units in synchronism with said chase carriers so that the latter are inked while in retracted position, and opposed male and female serpentine cams at the sides of said roll units for moving the rolls transversely of the path of the units as they advance and retract over the inking plate.

25. In a printing press, the combination of a pair of longitudinally reciprocating chase carriers, a pair of transversely reciprocating chase carriers, means for actuating said carriers successively to a common printing position and providing a rest period in such position, an inking plate positioned at the rear of each longitudinally reciprocating chase carrier, a stationary inking plate positioned at one side of each transversely reciprocating chase carrier in retracted position, a longitudinally reciprocating inking roll unit for each inking plate and chase carrier, means for actuating the inking roll units in synchronism with said chase carriers so that the latter are inked while at rest in retracted position, and means for axially reciprocating the rolls as they advance and retract in coaction with said inking carriers, a plurality of transversely reciprocating chase carriers, means for actuating said carriers, an inking plate positioned at the rear of each longitudinally reciprocating chase carrier, a stationary inking plate positioned at one side of each transversely reciprocating chase carrier in retracted position, a longitudinally reciprocating inking roll unit for each inking plate and chase carrier, including a plurality of rolls for transferring the ink from the plate to the chase carrier, a plurality of rolls for supplying ink to the plate, means for inking said last named rolls while the roll unit is at rest, and means for actuating the inking roll units in synchronism with said chase carriers so that the latter are inked while in retracted position.

2'7. In a printing press, the combination of a plurality of longitudinally reciprocating chase carriers, means for actuating said carriers and providing a rest period in inking position and in retracted position, an inking plate positioned at the rear of each longitudinally reciprocating chase carrier, a longitudinally reciprocating inking roll unit for each inking plate and chase carrier including a plurality of rolls for transferring the ink from the plate to the chase carrier and a plurality of rolls for supplying ink to the plate, means for inking said last named rolls while the roll unit is at rest, and means for actuating the inking roll units in synchronism with said chase carriers so that the latter are inked while at rest in retracted position.

28. In a printing press, the combination of a plurality of transversely reciprocating chase carriers, means for actuating said carriers, a stationary inking plate positioned at one side of each transversely reciprocating chase carrier in retracted position, a longitudinally reciprocating inking roll unit for each inking plate and chase carrier, including a plurality of rolls for trans ferring ink from the plate to the chase carrier and a plurality of rolls for supplying ink to the plate, means for inking said last named rolls, and means for actuating the inking roll units in synchronism with said chase carriers so that the latter are inked while in retracted position,

29. In a printing press, the combination of a plurality of reciprocating chase carriers, means for actuating said carriers successively to a common printing position and providing a rest period in such position, a reciprocating inking roll unit for each chase carrier, and means for actuating the inking roll units in synchronism with said chase carriers so that the latter are inked while at rest in retracted position.

30. In a printing press, the combination of a reciprocatingly mounted platen carrier, a platen mounted on said carrier for rocking movement from a tilted feed position to a printing position parallel to the type face, cam means for rocking said platen when the carriage is reciprocated, and a toggle mechanism for reciprocating said carrier comprising a manually adjustable eccentric pivot on said carrier, a link pivoted to said pivot, a rocking eccentric pivot journaled to a stationary part of the press in line with the reciprocation of said carrier, a link pivoted to said rocking eccentric pivot, a connecting lever pivotally connected to said links, cam means for actuating said connecting lever to make and break the toggle, and cam means for actuating said rocking eccentric pivot directly prior to the breaking of the toggle to take advantage of vacuum between platen face and work.

31. In a printing press, the combination of a recipr-ocatingly mounted platen carrier, a toggle mechanism for reciprocating said carrier comprising a manually adjustable eccentric pivot on said carrier, a link pivoted to said pivot, a rocking eccentric pivot journaled to a stationary part of the press in line with the reciprocation of said carrier, a link pivoted to said rocking eccentric pivot, and a connecting lever pivotally connected to said links, cam means for actuating said connecting lever to make and break the toggle, and cam means for actuating said rocking eccentric pivot directly prior to the breaking of the toggle to initially retract the platen.

32. In a printing press, the combination of a reciprocatingly mounted platen carrier, a platen mounted on said carrier for rocking movement from a tilted feed position to a printing position, cam means for rocking said platen on the carrier when the carrier is reciprocated, and a toggle mechanism for reciprocating said carrier comprising a link connected to said carrier and a link connected to a stationary part of the press.

33. In a printing press, the combination of a reciprocatingly mounted platen carrier, a platen mounted on said carrier for rocking movement from a tilted feed position to a printing position, means for rocking said platen on the carrier When the carrier is reciprocated, a toggle mechanism for reciprocating said carrier and for locking the same in printing position, and means for actuating said toggle mechanism to make and break the toggle.

34. In a printing press, the combination of a reciprocatingly mounted platen carrier, a platen mounted on saidcarrier for rocking movement from a tilted feed position to a printing position, means for rocking said platen when the carriage is reciprocated, a toggle mechanism for reciprocating said carrier and for locking the same in printing position comprising a rocking eccentric pivot journaled to a stationary part of the press in line with the reciprocation of said carrier, means for actuating said toggle mechanism to make and break the toggle, and means for actuating said rocking eccentric pivot directly prior to the breaking of the toggle.

35. In a printing press, the combination of a reciprocatingly mounted platen carrier, a toggle mechanism for reciprocating said carrier and for locking the same in printing position comprising a rocking eccentric pivot journaled to a stationary part of the press in line With the reciprocation of I said carrier, means for actuating said toggle mechanism to make and break the toggle, and means for actuating said rocking eccentric pivot directly prior to the breaking of the toggle.

36. In a printing press, the combination of a movably mounted platen, a thrust receiving plate opposite the platen, and a chase carrier normally spaced slightly from the thrust-receiving plate but adapted to engage the plate and transmit thereto the thrust of the platen during the printing operation.

37. In a printing press, the combination of a movably mounted platen, a thrust receiving plate opposite the platen, a chase carrier, means for moving the chase carrier into and out of position between the plate and platen, said carrier being normally spaced from said plate but adapted to engage the plate and transmit the thrust of the platen thereto during the printing operation.

38. In a printing press, the combination of a movably mounted platen, a thrust receiving plate opposite the platen, a plurality of chase carriers, means for successively moving the chase carriers into and out of position between the plate and platen, said carriers being normally spaced from said plate but adapted to engage the plate and transmit thrust of the platen thereto during the printing operation.

39. In a printing press, the combination of a platen, a plurality of chase carriers, means for chase carriers and platen to make a printing impression, and means operative after completion of each cycle of movement of all of the chase carriers for producing greater separation of the last chase carrier and platen to permit removal and replacement of stock to be printed.

40. In a printing press, the combination of a support, interrupted intersecting guideways on the support radiating from a common open center, rollers on the support in alinement with the guideways and serving as extensions thereof to bridge the open center interruptions, and chase carriers slidable on the guideways to and from the common center, said frames having cutaway portions to clear the rollers forming continuations of the intersecting guideways.

41. In a printing machine the combination with a reciprocatingly mounted platen, of a plurality of reciprocatingly mounted chase carriers operatively associated therewith, means for reciprocating each of said carriers independently of the others but in sequence to bring them successively into printing position, means for reciprocating said platen synchronously with the bringing of said chase carriers into printing position, and means for inking said chase carriers when in retracted position.

42. In a printing machine the combination with a reciprocatingly mounted platen, of a plurality of reciprocatingly mounted chase carriers mounted for reciprocation in the same plane which plane is at right angles to the line of reciprocation of the platen, means for reciprocating each of said carriers independently of the others but in sequence to bring them successively into printing position, means for reciprocating said platen synchronously with the bringing of said chase carriers into printing position, and means for inking said chase carriers when in retracted position.

43. In a printing machine the combination of a platen and a plurality of movable chase carriers, independent means adapted to move each of said chase carriers into and out of registration with the platen, and means connecting said independent means to produce operation thereof in sequence.

44. In a printing machine the combination of a platen and a plurality of chase carriers, said platen and carriers being mounted for relative movement into and out of registration with each other, means including a plurality of timed mechanisms arranged to produce relative movement of said platen and carriers to effect registration of said platen with each of said chase carriers in succession during one cycle of operation, and control means for selectively rendering said timed mechanisms operative or inoperative.

45. In a printing machine the combination of a platen and a plurality of chase carriers, said platen and carriers being mounted for relative movement into and out of registration with each other, means including a plurality of timed mechanisms arranged to produce relative movement of said platen and carriers to eifect registration of said platen with each of said chase carriers in succession during one cycle of operation, and control means for selectively rendering said timed mechanism operative or inoperative,

and means operative upon each registration of platen and carrier to effect printing engagement thereof.

46. In a printing machine the combination of a platen and a plurality of chase carriers, said platen and carriers being mounted for relative movement into and out of registration with each other, means including a plurality of timed mechanisms arranged to produce relative movement of said platen and carriers to effect registration of said platen with each of said chase carriers in succession during one cycle of operation, and control means for selectively rendering said timed mechanisms operative or inoperative, inking means for the chase carriers operative when the platen and chase carriers are out of registration and means operative upon each registration of platen and carrier to effect printing engagement thereof.

47. In a printing machine the combination of a platen and a plurality of chase carriers, said platen and carriers being mounted for relative movement into and out of registration with each other, means including a plurality of timed mechanisms arranged to produce relative movement of said platen and carriers to eiiect registration of said platen with each of said chase carriers in succession during one cycle of operation, and control means for selectively rendering said timed mechanisms operative or inoperative, means operative upon each registration of platen and carriers to eifect printing engagement thereof, and means operative at the end of each cycle of printing engagements to produce greater separation of platen and carrier to permit ready removal and replacement of stock to be printed.

48. In a printing machine the combination of a platen and a plurality of movable chase carriers, means including a plurality of timed mechanisms adapted to successively move said chase carriers into and out of registration with the platen during one cycle of operation, and control means for selectively rendering said timed mechanisms operative or inoperative.

49. In a printing machine the combination of a platen and a plurality of chase carriers, said platen and carriers being mounted for relative reciprocation into and out of registration with each other, means including a plurality of timed mechanisms adapted to produce relative reciprocation of said platen and carriers to eifect registration of said platen with each of said chase carriers in succession during one cycle of operation, and control means for selectively rendering said timed mechanisms operative or inoperative.

50. In a printing machine the combination of a platen and a plurality of reciprocatable chase carriers, means including a plurality of timed mechanisms adapted to successively reciprocate said chase carriers into and out of registration with the platen during one cycle of operation, and control means for selectively rendering said timed mechanisms operative or inoperative.

51. In a printing press the combination of a platen, means acting alternately to move said platen to printing position and apply pressure thereto to make the imprint and to thereafter release said pressure and move the platen away from printing position, quick-acting means for releasing the pressure on said platen, and timing mechanism causing said quick acting means to operate in advance of releasing movement of the first-named means.

52. In a printing press the combination of a movable platen, means for moving said platen to printing position comprising a toggle joint, means for alternately straightening out said joint to move the platen to printing position and for breaking said joint to move the platen away from printing position, said toggle comprising an eccentric pivot, and means for producing rapid movement of said eccentric pivot to release the pressure on the platen, and timing mechanism for operating said last-named means in advance of breaking of said toggle joint.

53. In a printing press the combination of a movable platen, means for moving said platen to printing position comprising a toggle joint, means for alternately straightening out said joint to move the platen to printing position and for breaking said joint to move the platen away from printing position, said toggle comprising an eccentric pivot, means for yieldingly holding said eccentric pivot in pressure applying position and a trip for said holding means for causing rapid movement of said eccentric to release the platen prior to the breaking of the toggle joint.

54. In a printing press the combination of a plurality of cooperating printing elements adapted to receive between them the stock to be printed, a movable carrier, means for tiltably mounting one of said elements on said carrier, means for moving said carrier and element toward and from printing position, and means for automatically tilting said element toward the cooperating element on the forward movement of the carrier and away from the cooperating element on the return movement of the carrier.

55. In a printing press the combination of a plurality of cooperating printing elements adapt ed to receive between them the stock to be printed, a movable carrier, means for tiltably mounting one of said elements on said carrier, means for moving said carrier and element toward and from printing position, and means for automatically i tilting said element toward the cooperating element on the forward movement of the carrier and away from the cooperating element on the return movement of the carrier, means for locking said element against tilting movement when said carrier is in forward position and means for releasing said locking means at the beginning of the retraction of said carrier.

56. In a printing press the combination of a plurality of cooperating printing elements adapted to receive between them the stock to be printed,

a movable carrier, means for tiltably mounting one of said elements on said carrier, means for moving said carrier and element toward and from printing position, means for automatically tilting said element toward the cooperating element on the forward movement of the carrier and away from the cooperating element on the return movement of the carrier, and selective mechanism for rendering said tilting means efiective only i after a predetermined number of cycles of movement of the carrier.

57. In a printing press the combination of a plurality of cooperating printing elements adapted to receive between them the stock to be printed, a movable carrier, means for tiltably mounting one of said elements on said carrier, means for moving said carrier and element toward and from printing position, means for automatically tilting said element toward the cooperating element on the forward movement of the carrier and away from the cooperating element on' the return movement of the carrier, means for locking said element against tilting movement when said carrier is in forward position, means for releasing said locking means at the beginning of the retraction of said carrier, and selective mechanism for rendering said tilting means, locking means and releasing means effective only after a predetermined number of cycles of movement of the carrier.

58. In a printing press the combination of a plurality of cooperating printing elements adapted to receive between them the stock to be printed, a movable carrier, means for tiltably mounting one of said elements on said carrier, means for moving said carrier and element toward and from printing position, means for automatically tilting said element toward the cooperating element on the forward movement of the carrier and away from the cooperating element on the return movement of the carrier, and independently operable means for effecting rapid partial retraction of said carrier and its printing element upon completion of the printing impression.

59. In a printing press the combination of a plurality of chase carriers, intersecting guides for said carriers radiating from a common point, means for reciprocating said carriers in said guides adapted to bring each in succession into position at said common point, a platen, and

means for moving said platen to and from said common point in synchronism with said carriers.

60. In a printing press the combination of a plurality of chase carriers, intersecting guides for said carriers radiating from a common point, independent means associated with each carrier for causing it to reciprocate in its guide to and from said common point, timing means associated with said independent means to produce sequential operation thereof to bring each carrier to said point in succession, a platen, and means for moving said platen to and from said common point in synchronism with said carriers.

61. In a printing press, the combination of a printing element and a plurality of cooperating printing elements, each of said cooperating printing elements being movable into and out of position in registration with the first-named printing element, and means associated with each of said cooperating printing elements adapted to bring it into registration with the first-named printing element independently of the others.

62. In the combination as defined in claim 61, means for producing relative movement of the first-named printing element and the cooperating printing element in registration therewith to produce the printing impression.

63. In the combination as defined in claim 61, means for rendering said last-named means inefiective to operate any one of said cooperating printing elements.

64.. In a printing press, the combination of a platen and a plurality of movable chase carriers, each of said carriers being movable into registration with the platen, and means for moving each of said carriers independently of the others I to bring it into and out of registration with the platen.

65. In a printing machine, the combination of a reciprocatable printing element, means for reciprocating said element throughout its cycle of movement, and means for automatically discon: necting the element from said first-named means at the end of each cycle.

66. In a printing machine the combination of a reciprocatable printing element, continuously driven means for reciprocating said element, and means for automatically connecting and disconnecting said element from said first-named means.

67. In a printing machine the combination of a reciprocatable printing element, continuously driven means for reciprocating said element throughout its cycle of movement, means for automatically disconnecting said element from said first-named means at the end of each cycle of movement.

68. In a printing machine the combination of a reciprocatable printing element, continuously driven means for reciprocating said element throughout its cycle of movement, means for automatically disconnecting said element from said first-named means at the end of each cycle of movement, and means acting at the end of the first phase of the cycle of movement to cause a dwell in the movement of said element.

69. In a printing machine the combination of a reciprocatable element, and means for reciprocating said element comprising a spirally grooved cam operatively connected thereto, and means for rotating said cam.

70. In a printing machine the combination of a reciprocatable element, and means for reciprocating said element comprising a spirally grooved cam operatively connected thereto, means for rotating said cam, and means for automatically connecting and disconnecting said element and cam.

'71. In a printing machine the combination of a reciprocating element and actuating means therefor comprising coacting traversing shafts operatively associated with said element, a pawl carried by said element adapted to alternately coact with said traversing shafts, and means for shifting said pawl at the end of a stroke of the element.

72. In the combination as defined in claim 71, one of said traversing shafts being provided with a spiral groove adapted to receive said pawl.

73. In the combination as defined in claim 71, said shifting means comprising a cam formed on one of said traversing shafts adapted to engage the pawl.

74. In the combination as defined in claim '71, said shifting means comprising independently driven mechanism intermittently engaging said pawl.

75. In the combination as defined in claim 71, said shifting means comprising a floating cam on one of said shafts, and means for intermittently locking the cam to the shaft to cause it to actuate the pawl.

76. In a printing press, the combination of a movable printing element, a cooperating printing element, means for moving said cooperating printing element toward and from printing position, means for applying thrust to the firstnamed printing element to cause it to engage the cooperating element when in printing position to make the printing impression, and means affording support to said cooperating printing element from one side to the other when in printing position to hold it against distortion under the printing thrust.

77. In a printing press the combination of a movable printing element, a cooperating printing element, means for moving said cooperating printing element toward and from printing position, means for applying thrust to the firstnamed printing element to cause it to engage the cooperating element when in printing position to make the printing impression, and means affording support to said cooperating printing element throughout its length and breadth when in printing position to hold it against distortion under the printing thrust.

78. In a printing press the combination of a movable printing element, a cooperating printing element, guiding means therefor, means for moving said cooperating element toward and from printing position, means for applying thrust to the first-named printing element to cause it to engage the cooperating element when in printing position to make the printing impression, and means affording support to said operating printing element from one side to the other when in printing position to hold it against distortion under the printing thrust.

'79. In a printing press the combination of a movable printing element, means for moving said element toward and from printing position, guideways extending from printing position, cooperating printing elements movable in said guideways, means for actuating said last-named elements to bring them successively into printing position, and backing means extending between said guideways and taking the thrust of the printing impression.

80. In the combination as defined in claim '79, said cooperating printing elements being normally spaced from the backing means but being movable into engagement therewith under the impact of the first-named movable printing element.

81. In a printing machine, the combination of a platen, a plurality of chase carriers operatively associated with the platen, means for synchronously actuating said chase carriers to and from printing position, stationary backing means for the chase carriers when in printing position, said backing means afiording support for the chase carriers across the width thereof, platen actuating means synchronized with the actuation of each of said chase carriers, and inking means operatively associated with each of said chase carriers.

82. In a printing press the combination of a movable printing element, a plurality of cooperating movable printing elements, means for actuating said last-named elements to bring them successively in a position opposed to the firstna-med printing element, and means for applying thrust to the first-named printing element to cause it to engage the opposed cooperating element to make the printing impression, and stationary means arranged in opposed relation to the first-named printing element and in the rear of the second-named printing elements when in position to receive an impression, said stationary means being adapted to provide a supporting backing for the second-named printing elements across the width of the elements.

83. In a printing press, the combination of a movable printing element, a plurality of cooperating movable printing elements, means for actuating said last-named elements to bring them successively in a position opposed to the first-named printing element, means for applying thrust to the first-named printing element to cause it to engage the opposed cooperating element to make the printing impression, and stationary means arranged in opposed relation to the first-named printing element and in the rear of the second-named printing elements when in position to receive an impression, said stationary means being adapted to provide a supporting backing for the second-named printing elements throughout substantially the entire width and length of the elements.

WILLIAM J. NIGHTINGALE. 

